Following Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Shildon at Dean Street, Sunderland RCA were back in Northern League action today with the return fixture against Shildon at Meadow Park.

RCA were down to the bare bones for today's match, with Colin Larkin and Stephen Callen joining the injured list from the match on Wednesday, and Ross Preston away. Into the side came Clayton Davis and Jak Ashton, and Luke Richardson started after playing almost all of Wednesday's match.

Sunderland RCA were back in Northern League action tonight with a trip to Shildon.

Shildon and RCA were two of the three Northern League sides in FA Cup action last Saturday, with contrasting results - Shildon had a superb 1-0 victory over Altrincham, who play two levels higher than Shildon, and, as a result, will make the long trip to Banbury United for the Third Qualifying Round tie. At the same time, RCA lost a close match, 2-0, at Scarborough Athletic but had chances in the match to force a replay.

RCA made one change to the side that lost the FA Cup match at Scarborough on Saturday - RCA captain Greg Swansbury - injured late on at Scarborough - was ruled out, so Colin Larkin moved to centre half to partner Ross Preston. James Cassidy returned on the left, with Stephen Callen moving from the left wing to join Nathan O'Neill up front.

9:36pm, Tuesday, 5 September - the final whistle blows at Clayborn to bring to a close a superb performance from Sunderland RCA and a 4-0 win against Liversedge in the Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie, setting up this afternoon's Second Qualifying Round visit to Scarborough Athletic.

Following the six changes for the midweek defeat by Stockton Town, RCA reverted back to the same XI that started the match against Billingham Synthonia last Saturday.

Sunderland RCA were back in Northern League action at Meadow Park tonight against another newly-promoted side, Stockton Town.

Stockton have had a real baptism of fire since being promoted to Division One and are yet to record a point after all eight matches in the league so far this season ended in defeat. But this is a club that has become accustomed to winning - their last five seasons have seen them crowned as champions: in the Wearside League, Stockton won the league on four consecutive occasions, each season finishing with over one hundred points. They finally took promotion after ground grading issues were resolved and were promoted to the Northern League second division where they were again crowned champions last season at the first attempt.

Stockton did give RCA a very close match last season in the FA Vase, when an extra-time penalty from Colin Larkin was all that separated the sides.

RCA are currently in a rich vein of form - unbeaten in seven matches, winning six of them, and, as a result, making tremendous progress in the FA Cup as well as holding a top eight position in the Division One table.

Presumably with one eye on Saturday’s big FA Cup match at Scarborough, and guarding against further injury, RCA made six changes to the side that beat Billingham Synthonia at the weekend. Out were Neal Bussey, Adam McGuinness, Greg Swansbury, Dylan Elliott, Michael Charlton and Colin Larkin. In came Jack Patton (to make his debut for RCA), Jak Ashton, Luke Richardson, James Cassidy, Jonathan Davis and John Butler.

Sunderland RCA were back in Northern League action today with a trip to newly-promoted Billingham Synthonia. After spending two seasons in Division Two, it is fair to say that Synners have had a tough start back in Division One, losing an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie on the opening day of the season and the following five league matches without even scoring a goal. However, their last two league matches have brought away draws at Washington and Jarrow Roofing which will bring hope that a corner has been turned.

RCA, meanwhile, have had a terrific start to the season with some impressive victories, none more so than the fabulous 4-0 win in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round replay at Liversedge on Tuesday.

RCA made one change from the side that started the match at Liversedge on Tuesday - Craig Hodgson, injured during the match, was ruled out and back into the starting line-up came Dylan Elliott.

Following Saturday’s goalless Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round match at Meadow Park, Sunderland RCA made the trip to West Yorkshire for the replay with Liversedge. Prior to kick-off, both sides were aware that the winners would face a trip to Northern Premier League Division One North side Scarborough Athletic in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday, 16 September.

There was good news on the injury front for RCA as both Stephen Callen and Colin Larkin were fit again and in the starting line-up. Callen started on the left wing in place of James Cassidy, and Larkin started up front, with Ross Preston moving back to centre half and Craig Hodgson switching to central midfield.

Sunderland RCA made the Bank Holiday Monday trip to Consett for what was the home side's first Northern League match at the Belle View this season.

Both sides have had excellent starts to the season - each losing only one match so far - and will represent the Northern League in the FA Cup on Saturday when Consett travel to Ossett Town and RCA host Liversedge in the First Qualifying Round.

RCA were dealt a major injury setback when Stephen Callen - who has played every minute of RCA's seven matches so far this season - was ruled out with a fractured toe and could be out of action for up to two months. Ross Preston was picked to partner Nathan O'Neill up front. And Ross McNab returned from injury to make a first appearance of the season at right back in place of Clayton Davis.

A Ryhope derby between two sides in great form - after losing their opening match of the season by a single goal in the Emirates FA Cup at Ashington, Ryhope Colliery Welfare have been in superb form in the Northern League winning all three of their matches so far against North Shields, Stockton Town and Billingham Synthonia.

RCA have bounced back strongly from the defeat at Marske United with a terrific win against Ashington in the FA Cup last Saturday and a good Northern League victory over newly-promoted Team Northumbria on Tuesday night.

RCA made one change to the side that beat Team Northumbria on Tuesday - Clayton Davis returned to right full back, replacing Luke Richardson.

Sunderland RCA’s second in another batch of three consecutive home matches was a Northern League fixture against newly-promoted Team Northumbria.

In the three seasons that Team Northumbria had been in Division Two, they have always been there or thereabouts for promotion - in the 2014-15 season they finished fourth, missing out on promotion by just two points. The following season they were even closer: again finishing fourth with 89 points and just a single point behind third-placed Chester-le-Street Town. Last season, however, despite finishing with the same number of points, 89, this was enough for a second-place finish and promotion to Division One. This season has seen one win and three defeats in their opening four matches.

For RCA, Saturday's fabulous victory and performance against Ashington in the FA Cup was the perfect way to get back on track following the disappointment of losing at Marske United last week after playing extremely well.

RCA made two changes to the side that won so impressively against Ashington on Saturday - Luke Richardson made a first start of the season, in place of Clayton Davis at right full back. And Colin Larkin was ruled out with a groin injury and replaced by James Cassidy.